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Interesting Facts About Raleigh
What are some fun facts about Raleigh, NC? If you are moving to Raleigh, here are some interesting facts about the area, including its location, population, and history.
Raleigh, NC, is the capital of North Carolina and an ever-growing metropolis that offers a big city feel with southern charm. As the state capital, Raleigh has plenty of history regarding how it came to be and when it was founded.
As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Raleigh offers a unique blend of Southern charm, innovation, and quality living that continues to attract newcomers from across the country.
If you are moving to Raleigh, prepare to learn new things about the city daily. Home to exciting quirks and surprises at every corner, it is no wonder that so many people are relocating here and purchasing homes for sale.
Here are 25 fascinating facts about Raleigh that you might not know
Raleigh is the state capital and is in north-central North Carolina. To be more specific, Raleigh is located 24 miles southeast of Durham, 63 miles northeast of Fayetteville, 131 miles northwest of Wilmington, 165 miles northeast of Charlotte, and 155 miles southwest of Richmond, Virginia.
Raleigh inherited its name from Sir Walter Raleigh, an explorer and nobleman who funded the first expeditions to the coast of modern-day North Carolina. He attempted to establish the first English Colony of the New World in the 1580s.
Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the most famous explorers of Elizabeth I's reign, and he quickly became the Queen's favorite. Due to his likeness, the queen forbade him from carrying out his original plan to create English colonies in North America.
As the rebel he was, in 1584, 1585, and 1587, Sir Walter organized the voyages that eventually led to his sponsorship of an English colony on Roanoke Island, now North Carolina.
Raleigh began with large tracts of land purchased by Issac Hinter and Joel Lane, enterprising landholders. After purchasing their land and settling down, they operated taverns and ordinaries for travelers coming through the north-south route.
The formation of Raleigh began when the NC General Assembly needed a permanent location to conduct state government. Since several cities hosted the state seat, the legislature built a centrally located city where they could discuss, meet, and work.
Raleigh was founded in 1792 after the commissioners purchased 1,000 acres from Joel Lane as the capital. It is the only state planned and established by a state as the seat of state government.
Raleigh is mainly in Wake County, with a small portion extending into Durham County. The other municipalities within Wake County are Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon.
The name Wake County comes from the wife, Margaret Wake Tryon, of the then-royal governor, William Tryon. Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the Carolina Hurricanes.
As the tenth-most populous city in the Southeast, Raleigh is consistently growing. Raleigh is the second largest city in North Carolina and the tenth most populous city in the southeast with a population of 482,295.
The city of Raleigh covers a land area of 149.6 square miles and has an average altitude of 96 meters above sea level.
Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its abundance of Oak trees that line the roads and streets in the city's heart. The trees are beautiful and provide a lushes green canopy throughout the area. Raleigh has white, red, and black oaks and hybrid varieties.
Raleigh is also often called the "Smithsonian of the South" because of the quality and quantity of free museums and as being a part of "The Triangle," which comprises Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.
The cost of living in Raleigh is 2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to call home. Housing expenses are 5% lower than the national average and utility prices are 6% lower.
| Cost of Living Item | Average Cost in Raleigh, NC |
| Median Rent | $1,443/month |
| Energy Bill | $187.87/month |
| Gas | $3.13 |
| Doctor's Visit | $156.89 |
| Dentist Visit | $129.01 |
*Data Sourced from Payscale.
- White: 51.4%
- Black or African American: 27%
- Asian: 4.71%
- Two or more races: 4.5%
- Other (Hispanic): 5.05%
Pullen Park has 66 acres of fun and educational opportunities for kids and adults. It was the first public park in North Carolina and the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the United States.
There is a community center, an aquatic center, playgrounds, courts and fields, an arts center, a cafe, a theatre in the park, shelters, and rentals. At Pullen Park, you can:
- Rent a pedal boat
- Ride on a carousel
- Go swimming
- Sign up for an art class
- See a play
- Play sports
Raleigh's craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, with over 30 breweries now calling the greater Raleigh area home. Trophy Brewing, Raleigh Brewing Company, and Crank Arm Brewing Company are just a few local favorites.
The city even has its own Beer Trail, and the annual Brewgaloo festival is the largest craft beer festival in North Carolina, featuring over 100 breweries. Beer culture is so embedded in Raleigh life that many neighborhoods now have their own signature brewery.
- Charlotte, NC - 143 miles
- Wilmington, NC - 123 miles
- Washington, D.C. - 251 miles
- Asheville, NC - 241 miles
- Nashville, Tenn. - 515 miles
- Orlando, FL - 588 miles
- Atlanta, GA - 424 miles
- New York City. NY - 489 miles
- Chicago, IL - 784 miles
Only 450 cities across the country have a flag, and Raleigh, NC, is one of them. However, Raleigh is one of the only cities with designs on the front and on the back.
The flag that hangs today has been Raleigh's official flag since 1885. It was first designed by the Raleigh flag committee and sewn by Miss Kate Densen. The colors come from Sir Walter Raleigh.
The crest pays homage to the Old English translation of Raleigh. The text "Amore et Virtute" means "by love and virtue," and the seal on the front embodies the "City of Oaks" nickname.
The North Carolina State Capitol Building is located in downtown Raleigh and was first built in 1840. Recognized as one of the best preserved state capitols in the country, this building served as a meeting place for the state legislature and is a historic symbol of pride.
Raleigh, and the state of North Carolina, is extremely popular due to its location on the map. Located halfway between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, you get the best of both worlds.
With that, Raleigh is a great place to explore the outdoors. You can take a day trip to the beach to experience various water sports or head to the mountains for hiking and camping.
Raleigh boasts an impressive collection of museums, many of which offer free admission. This abundance of cultural institutions has earned Raleigh the nickname "Smithsonian of the South."
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest institution in the southeastern United States. The museum combines the concepts of illumination and inspiration and has natural history exhibits, events, classes, and more. The artifacts featured in the museum span over 14,000 years, attracting over one million visitors a year and making it the state's most-visited museum.
The North Carolina Museum of History collects and preserves artifacts that relate to the history and heritage of North Carolina. You will see these artifacts through exhibitions, educational programs, and publications.
The North Carolina Museum of Art spans over 5,000 years and showcases the connection between art and nature. They offer special exhibitions, classes, lectures, family activities, films, dance performances, and concepts.
You can check out a live performance and many fun events in Raleigh. It is known that many national acts and DJs make Raleigh a regular stop on their tours. This is possible because Raleigh has the most live music venues concentrated here than anywhere else in the state.
You can see many different genres at numerous venues. Raleigh's Red Hat Amphitheater, The Ritz, and Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek are the most popular venues, with more to come.
Raleigh forms one point of the famous Research Triangle, along with Durham and Chapel Hill. This region houses Research Triangle Park (RTP), the largest research park in the United States, spanning 7,000 acres and employing over 55,000 workers.
Located at the center of three major research universities, this research park is a hub of innovation, providing a platform for companies to expand, collaborate, and develop cutting-edge technologies. The Triangle is one of the reasons why Raleigh's economy is thriving.
Shaw University was the first historically black university in the South, located in the heart of Raleigh. If you didn't know, Shaw University is referred to as an HBCU, which stands for historically black colleges and universities.
The university has many "firsts," including being the first HBCU in NC to get an A rating from the NC Department of Public Instruction, the first college in the nation to offer a four-year medical program, and the first HBCU to allow women to attend.
The North Carolina Symphony was the first state-supported symphony in the US. It was founded in 1932 and puts on more than 300 concerts, education programs, and community engagement offerings. The North Carolina Symphony also leads one of the country's most extensive education programs of any symphony orchestra that serves over 100,000 students each year.
The mission of the North Carolina Symphony is to be "North Carolina's state orchestra," an orchestra achieving the highest standard of artistic quality and performance standards and embracing our dual legacies of statewide service and music education.
Unlike many older American cities that grew organically, Raleigh was actually planned from the beginning. It's one of the few planned capital cities in the country, designed in 1792 with a grid pattern centered around the State Capitol building.
The original city was designed as a perfect square, one mile on each side, with the State Capitol at the center. This layout still evident in downtown Raleigh today.
Raleigh's nickname, "City of Oaks," isn't just a pretty title. The city's founders intentionally preserved many oak trees during development, and this tradition continues today with strict tree conservation ordinances.
The iconic acorn drop at First Night Raleigh on New Year's Eve pays homage to this arboreal heritage. In fact, Raleigh's tree canopy covers approximately 55% of the city, one of the highest percentages among major U.S. urban areas.
While North Carolina is known for basketball, many people don't realize that Raleigh has produced some remarkable NBA talent. NBA stars like John Wall, T.J. Warren, and Devonte' Graham all hail from Raleigh.
The city's passion for basketball extends beyond professional players, and the rivalry between NC State and nearby UNC and Duke creates an electric atmosphere during basketball season.
Raleigh consistently ranks among the top cities for entrepreneurs and startups. The cost of living, while rising, remains more affordable than many other tech hubs, making it an attractive option for young companies. In fact, Raleigh boasts one of the highest rates of women-owned businesses in the country.
Raleigh hosts over 85 festivals annually, ranging from massive events like Hopscotch Music Festival and the Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival. These events reflect the city's diverse interests and community spirit, offering newcomers plenty of opportunities to connect with others.
Methodology
Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Park Service, and Britannica to determine the most interesting facts about Raleigh, NC.
FAQs
What food is Raleigh famous for?
Though home to many varities of cuisine, Raleigh is most known for its southern cuisine, particulary for its North Carolina style barbecue.
What do you call someone from Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh residents are sometimes called Raleighites.
What is the slogan for Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh is most often reffered to as the "Capital City" since it is the capital of North Carolina.
Facts about Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
Whether you're drawn to Raleigh for its booming job market, quality of life, or vibrant culture, these unique aspects of the city add to its character and livability.
As you consider making the move to Raleigh, remember that understanding a city's quirks and hidden treasures can make your transition smoother and more enjoyable.
At Raleigh Realty, we're not just real estate experts—we're passionate ambassadors for our city. We'd love to help you discover your perfect neighborhood in the City of Oaks and share even more insights about what makes Raleigh special.
Contact one of our real estate experts to find your dream home in Raleigh.
